(AP) — Life insurance and annuities provider Athene USA is closing its 200-employee Topeka office and moving the operation to Iowa.

The announcement Thursday comes after Athene Holding Ltd., a life insurance company owned primarily by private equity fund Apollo Global Management, acquired West Des Moines-based AvivaUSA last year.

Athene public relations manager Steve Carlson said in a written statement that consolidating work in West Des Moines would allow the company to more effectively serve distribution partners, agents and clients.

Carlson says most of the employees in the Topeka office will be given the choice of relocating to Iowa. The other employees will be given 60-days notice and a severance package.