The 'years of potential life lost' (YPLL) is a health status indicator in widespread use. Although it appears to quantify elegantly the impact of death from socioeconomic perspective, difficulties may arrive in determining suitable age limits for its calculation. In this paper, the author proposes an internally standardized value system for graduating potential life lost. The resulting years-lost index is termed 'years of regrettable life lost' (YRLL). The YRLL is based on a life table, which also takes into account the effect of competing death. The author uses vital statistics in Taiwan for demonstration.