A method and apparatus are provided for delivering user equipment (UE) new radio (NR) security capabilities and mobility management entity interworking. In the embodiments, adding the UE NR security capabilities in a new information element over a non-access stratum (NAS) is compatible with a legacy mobility management entity and eliminate any potential of bidding-down attack and is more advantageous and serves the security solution better. As long as the UE is connected to the long term evolution (LTE) and all UE security capabilities including LTE security capabilities have been replayed correctly and successfully in the NAS security mode command (SMC) message, the UE may not consider the absence of the UE NR security capabilities in the NAS SMC as a security vulnerability.