Nearly 3 million boomers will celebrate their 62nd birthday in 2008, but a new survey shows they don't plan to become "old" for at least another 16 years.

About 3 million boomers will turn 62 in 2008.

This group of Americans born in 1946 includes President George Bush, Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, Cher, Diane Keaton, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Reggie Jackson, Sally Field, Sylvester Stallone, Donald Trump, Suzanne Somers and Susan Sarandon.

According to the MetLife Mature Market Institute, which surveyed 1,000 of the soon-to-be-62-year-olds, the majority are in good-to-excellent health. Their net worth, (excluding home value) is an average of $257,800, and their average annual income is approximately $71,400. Most are empty nesters, and about 78 percent have grandchildren.

"Contrary to what most of us have believed about the baby boomers who came of age in the turbulent 1960s, the group is very much like the 'Silent Generation' that preceded them," said Sandra Timmermann, director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. 

Baby boomers born in 1946 were 17 years old in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and turned 18 the next year, as the Vietnam War broadened. Their 21st birthdays were in 1967, the year of the "summer of love," and just before the chaos of 1968.

Despite the turbulence of their youth, the oldest boomers established very traditional lifestyles, Timmermann added. Although 2 percent said they attended the Woodstock Festival of 1969, conservatives now outnumber liberals by two to one.

"They were married once, had two children and feel they've done a decent job of caring for their family, their community and themselves," Timmermann said.  

78 is 'Old'
On average, the age at which they believe they'll be "old" is 78, with their health status being a deciding factor. Those in excellent health say they'll be old at 83, while those in poor health put that number at 74. 

Caregiving for elderly parents is no longer a responsibility for many 62-year-old boomers, with 87 percent no longer looking after their parents. About 5 percent have both parents still living, while 27 percent still have one parent. Among those who are caregivers, 16 percent of them are providing care for more than 20 hours a week. 

As a group, these boomers feel they have done a good or excellent job contributing to their families and communities. About 83 percent said they were "good to excellent" at providing for their spouses' and children's needs. 

Yet about  half acknowledge they did a "poor to fair" job of ensuring they'll have adequate coverage for their own long-term care needs. Twenty-two percent have long-term care insurance. Most financial planners advise adults to consider shopping for long-term care policies in their 50s before serious health conditions that come with age make it difficult to secure adequate coverage. 

Some boomers may be banking on an inheritance to pad their retirement years. About 38 percent are expecting an average of $210,000 from older heirs. Thirty-five percent have already received an inheritance of an average of $113,000.

Turning 62 is more than a birthday milestone for boomers. At this age, they can start applying to receive Social Security retirement benefits.  Members of the group who said they will take Social Security at age 62 reasoned that they feel they're entitled and would rather have the money than let the government have it or risk there'll be nothing left in the system if they wait.

Thirty-one percent plan to apply for Social Security when they turn 62, and 32 percent will wait until age 66 or beyond when they can receive full benefits.

Overall, most boomers feel pretty positive about being 62, noting some of the best parts are retirement or being close to it, freedom, health, Social Security, wisdom and independence.

The only negatives that bother some are the potential for illness or disability, the onset of wrinkles, aches and pains, memory loss, mortality and, generally, getting older.