Change-Ups: Mendez joins GR Chamber as talent development manager
Monica Mendez is the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce’s new talent development manager. She is responsible for overseeing Leading Edge, Leadership Advantage, and expanding upon ATHENA Grand Rapids programming, as well as providing support to chamber members. An immigrant from Mexico, Mendez came to the United States 20 years ago. She spent the first 15 years of her career as a business professional in a variety of different sales roles, but the magna cum laude graduate from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in International Business said she always felt drawn to other causes related to creating positive change within the community.
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Although you can no longer receive Social Security checks in the mail, retirement researchers say you should wait to claim until age 70 to maximize benefits. William Thomas Cain/Getty Images Text size
Retiring workers ages 60 to 69 should automatically receive monthly payments from their 401(k) or similar retirement savings plans unless they opt out, an idea researchers say would help bridge the gap until Social Security benefits reach their maximum at age 70.
Retirement researchers recently have been touting the benefits of a so-called bridge strategy, whereby retirees front-load withdrawals from 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts to delay claiming Social Security. For each year that a person delays claiming up to age 70, his monthly Social Security check goes up 7% to 8%. As a result, monthly benefits claimed at 70 are at least 76% higher than those claimed at 62.
By ADAM ALLINGTON
Last modified: Wednesday, February 17, 2016
YPSILANTI, Mich. Earl Johnston was 12 when he got his first job, a paper route that he quickly expanded by “buying out” additional routes from other, less industrious boys. After high school, he enrolled in a program to become an industrial electrician.
“With that journeyman’s card in my back pocket, I had never had trouble finding work ever,” he said.
Like many people in the prime of their working life Johnston, now 56, always thought he would have plenty set aside for retirement, and if he didn’t, he could always work a little longer. “At least up to 65,” he thought.
Change-Ups: Erhardt Construction hires its 5th female project manager
Melissa Hruska was recently hired as Erhardt Construction’s 5th female project manager. Hruska joins director Aaron Mead in the Facilities Solutions Group division of Erhardt Construction, managing multiple projects throughout West Michigan. Hruska has worked in the construction industry for 22 years. Seeing clients’ reactions to a finished project is Hruska’s favorite aspect of her job. Some of Hruska’s previous project experience includes Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate’s 12,100-square-foot corporate office in Grand Rapids and Mitten Kids Dentistry in Caledonia.
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