a retired poor bloke who dedicated the vast majority of his life to a company that could only compensate him with a piece of worthless paper and a BBQ.

What, is this actually possible or legal? I think in other countries, it would be impossible to work, and if it’s only ten or twenty years, and get no monthly payments at retirement. They might be too low to survive, but exist. I mean, at least the payments would exist.

Can someone explain for an obviously confused non -US?