Delays At The SSA?

I haven't looked at your figures in detail but if it's anything like my situation - they reduce the amount you should be paid because of WEP, then reduce it further to recoup the money they've overpaid (spread over 28 months in my case) but of course there's COLA, which increases it.  Hopefully this will all be consigned to the dustbin once Joey Biden gets his pen out.

Exactly. I would have understood it if they said "You should have received $697. You will in future receive [for example] $610" - as you say, reduce to the correct amount, and ten reduce further to recoup the overpayments.

But my "new" payments will still be MORE than they said I should have been paid. (Should have been paid $697; will in future be paid $737). COLA doesn't explain it.

I emailed another request for an update on my SS application which is still under review by an agent in London since November 12. I also called them to confirm their opening hours for receiving phone calls and it is the same as reported earlier in this thread by @Dunroving

We are going away for a few days tomorrow but will start calling them the week after since my application was to start receiving benefits when I turn 70 in February.

They are only contactable by phone on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9:30 and 1pm.
Their direct phone number is 020 7891 3926.