When shopping for life insurance, which index should Wyatt focus on if he is primarily concerned with the death benefit?

If Wyatt is primarily concerned with the death benefit when shopping for life insurance, he should focus on the net payment cost index. This index is designed to provide a better understanding of the cost of maintaining a life insurance policy and is particularly relevant to those interested in maximizing the death benefit.

The net payment cost index takes into consideration the death benefit that is paid out in relation to the premium payments made over a specific term. This means that it reflects the true cost of the insurance in terms of the benefits it provides, directly aligning with Wyatt's concern about ensuring that the death benefit is robust.

The other options, while relevant to certain aspects of life insurance policies, do not specifically address the overall cost-effectiveness and benefits associated with the death benefit. For instance, the cash value index focuses on the cash value accumulation in permanent life policies, which may not be relevant if death benefit is the sole focus. The interest rate index is related to how much interest is earned on cash values or dividends, again diverting attention from the death benefit. Lastly, the loan balance index pertains to the outstanding loans against the policy, which does not impact the primary concern of maximizing the death benefit itself.