Don Agustin, 77, Peru
Photo: Lisett Larico/HelpAge International
After working in a shoe factory for most of his life, Don Agustin was sacked without any explanation.
He did not have enough money to support his family, so he tried to access his pension.
However, his old company had not paid any contributions to the government on his behalf.
For years he tried in vain to get his pension, until his health started failing and he was no longer strong enough to chase up the authorities.
"I was sent from office to office in vain"
He said: "I was ready to give up on this nightmare. Since 1992 I had been told that I would get a pension. I filled out lots of papers.
"They kept promising me...they said I'd get something in three months, then six, but nothing materialised. I was sent from one office to another...all in vain."
Don Agustin took his case to a socio-legal centre, supported by HelpAge, which helps older people access their rights by giving them legal advice.
They helped him contact legal institutions such as the Peru Ombudsman Office (impartial body that investigates complaints against organisations) to get them to work on his case.
"I finally got my pension"
He said: "The lawyer at the centre helped me present my case and made me an appointment at the Ombudsman Office. She had dealt with many cases like mine and accompanied me throughout the process.
"She reassured me that I had a legal right to my pension. With her help, I finally got it."
Don Agustin now receives a small income. He says this is vital to help him support his family and make improvements to their home.
"I'm much happier now"
His wife said: "It's only a small amount but we find it really helpful. Before we had nothing, we were working from dawn till dusk, making things to sell on the street so we could send our kids to school. This was very bad for our health, and I have osteoporosis.
"The socio-legal centre does such a great job of helping people like us to gain access to benefits that are rightfully ours.
"I'm much happier and more confident now. I'm able to help my children and take care of my grandson."
See how HelpAge socio-legal centres help older people in Peru and Bolivia:
The lawyer at the centre helped me present my case. She accompanied me throughout the process and reassured me that I had a legal right to my pension. With her help, I finally got it.