One Retired Couple's Plight: We Lost Everything

Madoff’s scheme has devastated families with investments both large and small.

Retired carpet salesman Arnold Sinkin, 75 years old, of Boynton Beach, Fla. and his wife Joan invested their life savings of nearly $1 million with Madoff.

"It was the little guys like us that just had our life savings—not seven-figure life savings—and that just disappeared because of a hungry, mean man," said Joan Sinkin. "We have to sit down and figure what kind of life we have left."

The Sinkins say they don’t know how they will manage bills and everyday expenses.

"We don’t know where to go; we don’t know where to get help,” said Arnold Sinkin. “We’re hoping that because of this interview someone will come around and say, ‘maybe we can help.'"

© 2012 CNBC.com