About the expert

Charlene Young is AJ Bell’s Senior Pensions and Savings Expert. She joined AJ Bell in 2014 from a wealth management firm where she worked with private clients and small businesses as a financial planner.

Charlene has over 15 years’ experience in financial services, holding Chartered Financial Planner status and Chartered membership of the Personal Finance Society (PFS). She's also an associate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol.

She's a core member of our team who create content and information to help you invest - from how to map out your financial goals and which accounts can help you on your investing journey, to making sense of the more intricate parts of the tax and pension rules.

Pensions are Charlene's thing, and her goal is to make them less daunting and complicated for everyone. She does this by writing articles for our website and investor newsletters, as well as recording podcasts, videos and webinars for our website, apps and social media channels. She’s been instrumental in the delivery of AJ Bell’s 'Learn' area – a hub of educational content for those newer to investing.

You’ll also see Charlene representing AJ Bell at our investor events and providing comments for national press and adviser publications. She’s a director of AJ Bell’s pension trustee companies.

Latest articles from Charlene Young

  • 15 July 2024

    Lump sum allowance

    The lump sum allowance (LSA) is designed to cap the tax-free lump sums you can take from your pensions in your lifetime. Learn more about the LSA and LSDBA here.

    3 min read
    Retired couple walking in a forest
  • 28 June 2024

    Investing your pension

    Should you invest your pension money or keep it as cash? Learn about important things to consider when looking to grow your retirement savings.

    7 min read
    Money growing from a plant pot
  • 26 June 2024

    SIPP drawdown

    SIPP drawdown is a flexible way to access money from your pension - you choose how to invest your pot and what income you take and when. Discover the benefits of drawdown here.

    6 min read
    Elderly couple on laptop
  • 26 June 2024

    What are annuities?

    A pension annuity converts your pension pot into a guaranteed income for the rest of your life. Learn more about how annuities work and what the different types of annuities are.

    4 min read
    Elderly couple sat on a bench
  • 26 June 2024

    How to transfer an ISA

    Transferring your ISA to AJ Bell is easy. Find out more about ISA transfer rules or about moving cash between AJ Bell accounts here.

    6 min read
    Transfer of coins between piggy banks
  • 26 June 2024

    Lifetime ISA withdrawal

    You can withdraw from your Lifetime ISA tax-free when you use it for an eligible house purchase or after you turn 60. Learn more about LISA withdrawal rules here.

    3 min read
    Couple moved into a new home
  • 8 May 2024

    Gifting money to a child? Make sure you don’t give yourself a tax bill

    When gifting money to children, there are two taxes you need to pay attention to – income tax and inheritance tax (IHT).

    Gifting can reduce your estate for IHT purposes, but the ‘death tax’ can catch lifetime gifts, so it’s worth recapping the rules.

    Cash gifts exempt from IHT

    There are three main types you can use:

    Anyone can gift up to £3...
    3 min read
    Gifting-money-to-child-article.jpg