American - UK Resident - Social Security Benefits after retirement

This explanation from GN 01701.301 clarifies the logic nicely:https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201701301

In my case (according to my understanding of the above), since I'm not insured based on US coverage alone, the 1995 date isn't relevant and the WEP does not apply.  I'll put this to the FBU tomorrow and see if they concur.

They do.

Also, in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation in future and is searching for an answer: if submitting a claim for SS benefits while in CLN limbo, you can send in your UK passport instead of US and then after CLN arrives, get back to the FBU and get SS citizenship details updated to alien.