Within each event there are status settings that you can specify. The status setting will override the retention plan. If you select Open as the status, the folder will be opened when the event is posted, after the delay settings time has elapsed if applicable.
Changing a folder's status to Open will reset the retention plan. If the retention plan is based on time, rather than event, the appropriate amount of time will need to elapse in order for the folder to reach the end of the life cycle without any additional events posted to alter the timeline of the folder. For example, if you open a folder that has a retention plan that specifies that a year must pass before the folder is closed and there are no events that can close the folder, the folder must wait a full year for it to close.
If you select Closed as the status, the folder will be closed and will be awaiting Cutoff, as specified by the retention plan. If you select Cutoff as the status, the folder will be cutoff and the retention period will start as specified by the retention plan.