According to certain embodiments, a method by a first network node is provided for enabling paging of a user equipment (UE) in an inactive state. The method includes the first network node receiving a UE identity index value for the UE while the UE is in a connected state or during an initial context setup for the UE. The UE identity index value is stored. The method further includes transitioning the UE from the connected state to an inactive state and using the UE identity index value that was stored while the UE was in the connected state to initiate a transmission of a page to the UE in the inactive state.