An apparatus comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS device includes a substrate having an anchoring pad thereon and a structural element. The structural element has a beam that includes a first part and a second part. The first part is attached to both the anchoring pad and to the second part. The second part is movable with respect to the substrate and made of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, at least one of the following conditions hold: the first part is made of a material having: a first yield stress that is greater than a second yield stress of the electrically conductive material of the second part; a fatigue resistance that is greater than a second fatigue resistance of the electrically conductive material of the second part; or, a creep rate that is less than a second creep rate of the electrically conductive material of the second part.