The terminally ill man was asked doctors to put him on life supporting machines and prolong his life for just five days in order to secure that his widow receives his pension. The tragedy showing the despair people suffering due to austerity measures took place in a hospital in Larissa, Central Greece.

According to the latest pension reforms, widows loss their right to receive their husband’s pension if they are younger than 55 years old.

The man’s wife would turn 55 in a couple of days.