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

  • 14 January 2026

    What is regular investing?

    Setting up regular investments is a great way to automate your investing journey. Here we explain how it works, its benefits and the checks you should make to stay on track.

    6 min read
    Woman on laptop with calendar

  • 25 April 2025

    SIPP vs ISA

    Stocks and shares ISAs and Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) can be ideal wrappers for holding investments in shares and funds. Learn about SIPPs vs ISAs here.

    7 min read
    comparing donuts and apples

  • 26 May 2026

    Withdrawing money from an ISA

    Are you wondering how withdrawals from ISA accounts work? Learn more about the rules around ISA withdrawals and how you can withdraw money out of an ISA.

    4 min read
    Woman using mobile phone at home

  • 19 May 2026

    SIPP withdrawals and access

    You now have greater flexibility than ever when deciding how to take your pension. Withdraw 25% of your SIPP fund tax-free or explore alternative options here.

    5 min read
    Pensioner blowing out his birthday candles

  • 15 May 2026

    Five pension pitfalls and how to avoid them

    You’ve spent your working life building up your savings. Hopefully making the most of the tax incentives pensions have to offer and compound returns over the long term. But retirement is the point where the impact of financial decisions can actually start to compound in reverse, if you take a wrong turn.

    Here are five common pension pitfalls that...

    7 min read
    Shares magazine
    Man about to walk on banana skin

  • 12 May 2026

    Gender pension gap: the big change that happens at age 28

    Read the full report from the AJ Bell Money Matters team

    There is no hiding from the gender pension gap. But looking at how and when it starts could provide valuable insight into the best ways of working towards closing it.

    New research from AJ Bell Money Matters shows that among retail investors, men and women’s pension contributions start taking...

    7 min read
    Lady sitting in back of car

  • 23 April 2026

    Saving for retirement when you’re self-employed

    When you work for yourself, you don’t have the luxury of auto-enrolment and a HR department to sort a pension for you. Competing pressures on your time and the fact income can be lumpier than a regular salary can mean that saving looks different for you.

    But pensions are not just for employees and the powerful tax perks they come with can turn even...

    6 min read
    Woman working at desk

  • 21 April 2026

    How much cash should I hold before investing?

    If you’ve read any tips or checklists to help your get started with investing, you’ll have seen sorting a cash buffer or emergency fund mentioned.

    Having a decent chunk of money readily available in an easy access account is a vital part of any financial plan. But there’s a balance to be had between holding too much cash, which might mean you never...

    3 min read
    Couple on sofa looking at bucket on floor