The Addicks took the lead in the 16th minute on Saturday after Danny Green's shot was pushed out by Andreas Arestidou into the path of Jackson and the captain drilled a low shot into the net.
Michael Morrison pounced to double the advantage six minutes later after Bradley Wright-Phillips' initial shot was cleared off the goalline.
Arestidou fouled Yann Kermorgant in the box after the Charlton striker latched on to a poor back header from Brian McLean and Jackson made no mistake from the penalty spot for the his second of the afternoon in the 27th minute.
Wright-Phillips capitalised on more poor defending to head the hosts further ahead seven minutes before half-time.
Danny Green headed home an excellent 69th-minute Rhoys Wiggins cross to make it 5-0.
Preston pulled two late goals back through Craig Moran's 85th-minute header and Keammar Daley's stoppage-time shot, but this was definitely a day Preston boss Phil Brown will want to forget.
