Security Benefit Chairman Howard Fricke announced Wednesday that he would step down as chairman by the end of the month.

Kris Robbins, the Topeka-based financial company’s president and chief executive officer since 2001, will add the title of chairman effective Jan. 1, Fricke said.

“Kris has been a driving force in Security Benefit’s innovation, advancing our service excellence reputation and has demonstrated a solid commitment to our community,” Fricke said, in a statement. “Knowing Kris Robbins will continue to be at the helm of the company gives me great satisfaction.”

Fricke will continue to serve as a Security Benefit director until June 2007, when his term expires. He has been with the company since 1988, and has been chairman since 1995.