This study compared demographic, economic and career characteristics between a traditional retirement group and a gradual retirement group. From the 2005 Korean Retirement and Income Study (KReIS), 780 traditional retirees and 265 gradual retirees were selected. A t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were completed. The findings of this study were as follows: First, there are gender and age differences between the traditional retirement group and the gradual retirement group. The gradual retirement group has a high proportion of male workers and older workers compared to the traditional retirement group. Second, members of the traditional retirement group have more income, more assets and less debt than members of the gradual retirement group; therefore, their financial structure is comparatively stable. Third, there is a large percentage of blue-collar workers (e.g., technical service, repair, operatives) in the gradual retirement group. Members of the gradual retirement group had worked for a shorter period during their career and had a lower wage rate than members of the traditional retirement group. Finally, male workers who are in their 60s and 70s, who do not have a public transfer income but have a higher level of career income, and are older when they end their career, are less likely to retire gradually. As they also have a higher level of debt, the probability of these workers selecting a gradual retirement route is high.