NTSA Bob D. Schiller Award Winner Named

The National Tax-Deferred Savings Association (NTSA) has named the 2019 recipient of its Bob D. Schiller Award. The NTSA 2019 Bob D. Schiller Award is presented to Susan J. Jennings for her lifetime achievements and meritorious service.

The NTSA Bob D. Schiller Award recognizes individuals who have given freely of themselves, their time and resources to the NTSA and to the 403(b)/457 industry — individuals who have gone above and beyond expectations. It is named in memory of Bob Schiller, an enthusiastic supporter of the NTSA who devoted his time and energy to its success.

Jennings is Vice President and Director of Government Relations for the National Life Group, a company with which she has been associated for more than 30 years. She provides strategic guidance on corporate initiatives and potential retirement savings markets.  As an advocate of behalf of the company, she promotes federal and state governmental policies that assist teachers and other government employees save for retirement.

Past chair of the Corporate Counsel Committee of the American Bar Association/TIPS Section, Jennings currently serves on the West Publications Advisory Committee, the Standing Committee to the Law Student Division, and the Membership Committee. She also is a Fellow of the American Bar Endowment. And she also is the past chair of the Corporate Counsel Section and a member of the House and History Committee of the Dallas Bar Association.

Susan is the past Chair of the Texas Association of Life and Health Insurers (TALHI) and served as Chair of the TALHI PAC.  She serves on the Executive Committee of the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC) and the Government Affairs Committee of the National Tax-Deferred Savings Association (NTSA).  Susan is also a voting member of the Federal Legislative Strategy Committee and Retirement Plans Committee of the American Council of Life Insurance (ACLI).

Jennings works to assist college and law students in career planning, and has spoken at universities on career networking. She serves as a welcome ambassador at Southern Methodist University, assisting international students upon their arrival. An author of numerous articles on insurance and retirement plan topics, she recently spoke at the Hill in Washington D.C. and has been interviewed by the New York Times and Benefits Pro on retirement planning issues.

Service to the community is also a hallmark of Jennings’ activity. She is a member of La Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas, a fund-raising group for the schools and other community organizations in the Park Cities, TX area; she also is  the past Moderator of the Deacons at Highland Park Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Park Cities Republican Women’s Club, as well as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League.

Jennings graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science; she received her law degree (J.D.) from Texas Tech School of Law, and her Advanced Law Degree (L.L.M.) in Taxation from Southern Methodist University School of Law. She also holds the CLU and FLMI designations. She is licensed to practice in Texas state courts, the U.S. District Courts in the Northern and Eastern District of Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Tax Court.

“Susan has been a long-standing contributor to the NTSA Government Affairs Committee and a committed champion for public policy that promotes and protects workplace savings solutions,” said NTSA Executive Director Brent Neese.