LAS VEGAS – A trade show can be a boon for astumped writer starved for material. A trade show in Las Vegas canbe the mother lode – or a disaster. Maybe it was health reformfatigue earlier this month that drove me to Vegas, where I snuckinto the 10th annual ASPPA 401(k)Summit. I was sick and tired of hearing about increasedcompliance, policy drafted by college dropouts and thoseaggravating mandates.

So I fled. Certainly a quiet little conference dedicated to oneof the federal government’s few shining success stories would offerthe perfect getaway. But what did I find waiting for me at CaesarsPalace? More crippling compliance, more uninformed policy and moremisguided mandates. Stop me if you’ve already heard this, but we’renot the only ones wrestling with reform. Congress has been quietlybickering over 401(k) regulations since last summer, tinkering withfiduciary definitions, auto enrollments and, yes, more smallbusiness mandates.

Things have even taken a surreal Clintonian turn with a debateover something as basic – yet critical – as what your definition ofadvice is? And while senators without accounting degrees (mostly)debate a uniform fiduciary standard, the Democrats are revving upto take another run at their auto IRA bill, which would saddlealready bloodied and bruised small businesses with another set offederal mandate shackles.

Now throw into the mix a Deficit Commission Proposal that wouldeliminate all existing tax exemptions – including employee-paidhealth – in favor of a flat, tiered system of 8 percent, 14 percentand 23 percent tax brackets for individuals. (Corporations wouldface a flat 26 percent rate.) So, we’re not alone. While those ofyou on the life-health side continue to navigate this post-reformminefield, our brother-in-arms in the retirement business face anequally uncertain future.

Speaking of material, we’re be bringing a lot more your way. OnMarch 28, we went live with www.BenefitsPro.com. It is theonline destination for all things employee benefits. Whether you’rea benefits broker, a human resource manager or a retirementadvisor, we have something for you – from breaking news tocommunity forums to guest bloggers from every corner of thebusiness. Trust me, you will not want to miss this. Besides, you’rethe most important part.

Denis Storey Editor [email protected]