Our firm is investigating LPL Financial LLC broker and Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. investment adviser representative Benjamin Paul Burkley (CRD# 5189154) of Pennsylvania in connection with a pending customer dispute reported through FINRA BrokerCheck.
According to his BrokerCheck report, Burkley is currently registered with LPL Financial LLC and Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. His record reflects one pending customer dispute disclosure.
Financial Advisor’s Career History
According to his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Benjamin P. Burkley has been registered with the following firms:
- LPL Financial LLC — 10/2017 to Present
- Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. — 10/2017 to Present
- Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. — 10/2015 to 08/2017
- Absolute Capital Management, LLC — 06/2014 to 10/2015
- Federated Global Investment Management Corp. — 04/2011 to 11/2013
- MDT Advisers, a Division of Federated MDTA LLC — 01/2011 to 11/2013
- Federated Investment Counseling — 03/2010 to 11/2013
- Federated Securities Corp. — 2009/2010 to 11/2013
- Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC — 09/2008 to 12/2008
- Edward Jones — 08/2007 to 04/2008
FINRA reports that Burkley has worked as a registered representative with LPL Financial and an investment adviser representative with Stratos Wealth Partners since 2017.
His reported outside business activities include his LPL Financial and Stratos Wealth Partners business and Butson Financial Advisors LLC.
Benjamin Paul Burkley Allegations and Investor Complaint Explained
FINRA BrokerCheck reflects one pending customer dispute involving Benjamin P. Burkley.
According to the disclosure, the claimant alleges that registered representatives advised him to liquidate an annuity and invest the proceeds in other investments.
The claimant further alleges that this recommendation caused detrimental tax consequences and lost income from the liquidated annuity. The claimant alleges $750,000 in damages.
Pending FINRA Arbitration: Alleged Annuity Liquidation Causing Tax Consequences and Lost Income
The BrokerCheck disclosure identifies LPL Financial LLC and Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. as the firms involved when the alleged activities occurred.
The disclosure provides the following information:
- Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute — Pending
- Firms: LPL Financial LLC & Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd.
- Allegations: Claimant alleges representatives advised him to liquidate an annuity and reinvest the proceeds
- Alleged harm: Detrimental tax consequences and lost income from the liquidated annuity
- Product Type: Variable Annuity
- Alleged Damages: $750,000
- Date Notice/Process Served: 06/16/2026
- Arbitration Forum: FINRA
- FINRA Docket/Case #: 26-01230
- Arbitration Pending: Yes
Related Civil Litigation
The BrokerCheck disclosure also identifies related pending civil litigation in the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
The report provides:
- Court: Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County, Pennsylvania
- Date Notice/Process Served: 09/19/2025
- Civil Case #: 10266-CD-2024
- Litigation Pending: Yes
Disclosure Summary
- Customer Dispute — Pending
- Firms involved: LPL Financial LLC and Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd.
- Allegation: Advice to liquidate an annuity and reinvest the proceeds
- Alleged consequences: Adverse tax consequences and lost annuity income
- Product: Variable Annuity
- Alleged damages: $750,000
- FINRA case #: 26-01230
- Arbitration: Pending
- Related civil case #: 10266-CD-2024
- Civil litigation: Pending
Conclusion
Investors reviewing this disclosure should understand that the arbitration and civil litigation involving Benjamin Burkley remain pending and the allegations have not been proven or formally adjudicated.
FINRA explains that pending disclosure events may involve allegations that are contested or unresolved and may ultimately be withdrawn, dismissed, resolved in favor of the broker, or concluded through settlement without an admission or finding of wrongdoing.
Investors considering doing business with Benjamin Paul Burkley may want to review his complete FINRA BrokerCheck report under CRD# 5189154 for the most current information concerning his registration and disclosure history.
Robert Wayne Pearce Is Committed to Recovering Your Investment Losses
Recommendations to liquidate an annuity can carry significant financial consequences, including surrender charges, loss of guaranteed benefits, tax consequences, and the loss of future income streams. A recommendation to replace or liquidate an annuity should be evaluated in light of the investor’s financial circumstances, objectives, liquidity needs, tax situation, and the costs and benefits of the replacement investment.
In Burkley’s reported dispute, the claimant alleges that advice to liquidate a variable annuity and reinvest the proceeds caused detrimental tax consequences and lost income, resulting in claimed damages of $750,000. The matter remains pending.
For over 45 years, Robert Wayne Pearce has helped investors recover losses caused by broker fraud, negligence, unsuitable recommendations, annuity-related misconduct, and other investment-related misconduct. His firm, The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., represents clients nationwide on a no-recovery, no-fee basis.
Call (800) 732-2889 or email pearce@rwpearce.com for a free case review with an experienced securities attorney.