Social Security has implemented a rule change that could result in thousands of dollars in benefits for retired divorcees and widows. The rule change affects widows and divorced spouses whose spouses worked in the public sector and did not always pay Social Security taxes. These changes have been removed from the previous system, which can leave a gap in benefits due to one spouse's career working in public service while the other pays into Social Security. The increase in benefits is in two ways: higher monthly Social Security payments and lump-sum deposits. Some eligible spouses may already have their benefits increased, but some cases may still be pending, delaying the receipt of funds.